Lynne delights in watching her bees work. Then there's the amazing crop of honey she harvests which she says " is better than anything you'll ever find at the store". As well as watching her bees and enjoying eating honey, Lynne loves the learning involved. She learns from experienced beekeepers as well as recently participating in a Cert III in Beekeeping. The challenge of beekeeping brings some obvious rewards. But it is also an important contribution to our local ecosystem.
So why is beekeeping important? Bees are essential for pollinating plants and crops which in turn provides us with food. Around the world the number of honey bees is on the decline, so keeping bees is crucial to help increase the bee population. Beekeeping is also a skill that is becoming less popular and there seems to be a decline in the number of beekeepers around the world.
Harvey started his beekeeping journey from the age of 14 on his parents' farm in the North of England. Keeping his passion alive alongside his professional football career for 20 years and then finally residing in Australia, Harvey now specialises in the art of instrumental insemination with Queen bees and breeding, travelling to UK and parts of Europe to gain knowledge on a regular basis, working with specialist genetic Queen Breeders on different strains - Italian, Carniolan, Caucasian and Buckfast stocks, looking to the future in perfecting the apis mellifera honey bee. He is now based in the Southern Highlands and teaching Certificate III beekeeping & Certificate IV in Training to a wide range of school students, amateur beekeepers and apprentices in the commercial sector.
Denis started his beekeeping career working with his uncle for over 30 years. He helped him with his bees and in 1996 he inherited them. Denis is very familiar with the environmental challenges of the Southern Highlands. He is also very adept at making his own equipment with great care and can modify according to need. He was an early member of the Southern Highlands Apiarist Association and he willingly shares his experiences to those seeking advice. His knowledge of bees and how to manage a hive is extensive. He is very 'Bee-Knowledgeable' and hands-on with bees. Denis has a Certificate III in Beekeeping.
Come join us for a relaxed day of beekeeeping at Elouera Vale, Mittagong, in the beautiful Southern Highlands and learn how to manage your hives productively to maintain optimum health and productivity of your hive.
This Field Day will be run by experienced beekeepers, Harvey and Denis, who will provide opportunity for hands on experience in all aspects of seasonal management. There will be plenty of opportunity to ask all the questions that have been bothering you and hear from the experts as they share their experience.
This Field Day is designed for people who are interested in keeping bees or already have a hive and are interested in developing a sound knowledge base. There will be a strong emphasis on the practical side of beekeeping weather permitting and a strong theoretical base to back it up.
Some of the topics covered will include:
| When & time | |
| Where |
'Elouera Vale' 110 Buckmans Lane, Mittagong, NSW, 2575, Australia Location and address details |
| What to bring |
|
| What will be provided |
Morning tea/coffee Agskills guide book in beekeeping |
| Cost | $200 per person |
Topics covered include:
| When & time | |
| Where |
'Elouera Vale' 110 Buckmans Lane, Mittagong, NSW, 2575, Australia Location and address details |
| What to bring |
|
| What will be provided | Morning tea/coffee |
| Cost | $200 per person |
This Queen Bee Breeding weekend workshop is being run by industry respected experienced specialists and is designed particularly for the experienced beekeeper who would like to expand into queen breeding, or for the home beekeeper who is interested in breeding their own bees for certain genetic traits.
At the completion of the workshops you will have a good understanding of how to:
| When & time | |
| Where |
'Elouera Vale' 110 Buckmans Lane, Mittagong, NSW, 2575, Australia Location and address details |
| What to bring |
|
| Cost |
$480.00 per person (BYO lunch) You will be provided with a queen bee raising kit and the DPI book "Queen Bee Breeding Ag Guide" |